Hello! Oh my goodness - It has been such a long time
since my last blog entry!!!
This is my February update, more to follow......
Lots has happened since then!!

FEBRUARY UPDATE
Hello everyone!

I have a bit of news - I am now going by Sara Victoria instead of just Sara.
(Victoria is my middle name) I felt God speaking to me about using both
names in 2005, but when I tried to change it at the School of Ministry in Toronto,
it was really difficult because everyone knew me as Sara.
So I just left it. Anyways, I come to Stratford and there is another girl on
the intern program (who I share a room with) called Sarah.
So to avoid any confusion, I suggested the name change and from then on
I have been Sara Victoria!

So I have finished the first month of my internship at Jubilee Christian
Fellowship!
It has been a great month, and I SO know that I am meant to be here. I am
excited about what the next year holds. More than anything, I want to grow
in my relationship with Jesus. I am seeing that this is all that really
matters......... He is awesome!

Anyways......I arrived in Stratford on 4 February. I was meant to move
straight into the intern house, but as it was not ready I stayed with the
pastor and his family for 1 week. After one week, the house was ready and I
moved in. There are 5 of us at the moment - all girls. (2 Canadians, 1
American and 1 English girl) We all get along really well. (there are 10
interns currently on the program altogether). The house is at the back of
the church which is really handy. I live about 20 mins walk from the town
centre, and there is a bus stop right outside our front door if we need it.

I spent the first 2 weeks really getting established here, cleaning the
house (as the previous tennants in the house had left it needing quite a lot
of work) and getting to know Stratford.
I have arrived in the middle of winter - it has been so cold! I got mild
frostbite on my hands! Today, the roads in and out of Stratford have been
closed due to the bad weather. There is lots and lots of snow (Stratford is
on the Snow-belt).

My schedule is coming togethe re the internship.
The main part of my internship is spent in the Stratford House of Prayer.
The house of prayer began in Jubilee, but has now moved to the town centre -
and many of the churches in Stratford, Catholic and Protestant are
participating which is amazing!
It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The vision is to have prayer and
worship to Jesus 24/7.
The interns are to spend 2 hours per day here 5 days a week. However I have
been spending as much time there as I can! I am so hungry for more of God,
more of His presence......
Mondays and Saturdays are our days off.
Tuesdays we have intern cell with Patricia Bootsma. We then have teaching
for 1 hour and after that a guitar lesson. On Tuesday evenings there is a
worship night in the church.
Wednesdays, we meet with the Youth Pastor. Trevor (youth pastor) is starting
a series on sexual purity with the young people. All the interns will be
involved in this. This will be on youth night - which is every Friday.
Thursday is my office day. I help the administrator by answering the phones
and helping people as they come in. My project is the weekly bulletin which
is given out every Sunday. I knew that all my years of typing exams would
come in handy! I compile the bulletin and print it off.
Friday is Youth and I am on a rota for a ministry called Healing Rooms where
we pray for the sick. On Sundays I am involved in Kids Ministry (I am doing
the nursery and 3-5 year olds), Prophetic Ministry and will be singing in
the worship team once a month.

I am also involved in some other things.......
- I visited a nursing home last night and helped with a hymn sing. I really
enjoyed meeting the residents and will definately be wanting to be involved
in future visits. I had to do a mini-sermon which was stretching!
- Outreaches twice a month with all the interns.
- Mentoring a new believer
- 17 March, one of the interns has arranged a really special dinner for
single mums who live in an area of low income housing next to the church
- The interns have all been given the opportunity to study towards a degree
with a Christian Leadership University in America. (I will get credits from
the internship towards it) I am looking into whether or not my visa permits
me to study or not. I would love to do this!!
- I have the opportunity to travel to different countries on ministry trips
(I will keep you posted as things develop!)

There are other things which I may get involved in as the internship
progresses.
John Bootsma visits the prison once a month (not sure if there is a woman's
prison).
Also I am looking into heling with a community project called House of
Blessing which is actively involved in helping those less advantaged.

I feel so blessed being here and am excited about the coming year!

Lots of love
Sara Victoria
:o)